Capital versus labour in the digital age: Rigged against workers
While tech platforms have eased our lives, too little attention is paid to a growing inequity. Capital gets to multiply, but gig workers are left at a disadvantage as they’re not treated as employees and lack labour protection under the law. This capital-labour imbalance needs to be addressed.
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E-commerce revolution is not inclusive enough
JJN’s Sabina Dewan writes on the expanding e-commerce ecosystem in India and its effect on MSMEs of the country. From the perspective of micro, small and medium enterprises, that are dealing with tech disruptions to stay in business and the 111 million jobs they support, she calls for appropriate and effective regulations to enable more inclusive growth of e-commerce.
FutureWORKS Collective: Charting New Frontiers in the Global South
As global labour markets continue to undergo transition induced by rapid technological advancement and climate change, there is not enough research that captures the diverse experiences of the Global South. The FutureWORKS Collective, funded by IDRC Canada, is a consortium of research organisations that will fill this lacuna. The JustJobs Network is proud to be the coordinator of this initiative that underscores the urgency of adapting research and policies to the realities of the Global South.
Bihar—India’s latest urban frontier
Bihar’s unconventional urbanisation is not characterised by the development of industrial hubs that generally characterise the process of urbanisation. Despite being famous for its out-migration, Bihar is experiencing something that the author describes as “urbanisation from within” i.e. the natural growth and densification of small towns and villages, increased population density and a shift from agriculture to non-farm activities. This article points out challenges in this form of urbanisation and suggests changes that will transform these urbanising villages into centers of job-rich economic development.
Towards a GREEN future: Conserving Meghalaya’s forests through PES
A government initiative to promote conservation and build climate resilience, the GREEN Meghalaya scheme is based on the payment for ecosystems model (PES). This article introduces the PES model and poses inquiries about its operation and implementation, especially against the changing landscape of forest conservation in India.
Embracing Transgender Inclusion in the Workplace: A Call for Action and Acceptance
The article highlights challenges transgender individuals encounter in workplaces and society. It emphasises holistic recognition by linking food, shelter, and employment for inclusive efforts in their livelihoods.
Will Gender Quotas in India’s Legislatures Deliver Gender Equality?
The newly enacted law to reserve one-third seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislatures could advance gender equality in India. Certain conditions however need to be met to ensure that numerical representation translates to substantive representation.
Time for a National Urban Employment Guarantee Act? Lessons from Odisha’s Urban Wage Employment Initiative
The success of UWEI and MUKTA, Odisha’s initiatives to curb pandemic-induced urban employment could well be the blueprint for a National Urban Employment Guarantee Act that emphasizes worker security, community involvement and a gender-inclusive design.
Constructing within planetary boundaries: Warnings from Mumbai’s coastal road project
The building and construction sector in India is marred with inherent contradictions – it is at once an employment generator and a highly polluting sector. It stresses the question: How do we balance human needs without compromising earth systems?
Big Problems, Small Wins: Social Security for Rajasthan’s Gig Workers
Despite good intentions, much in the new Rajasthan gig workers act is built on weak foundations, which will make it difficult to implement. This makes it unlikely that the workers will actually get what they deserve.
Technology and Work: Pursuing Equitable Distribution Amidst Digitalisation
As technology continues to change the world of work irreversibly, its impact on the workforce and the need for equitable distribution of digital work gains continues to gain emphasis. This document, drafted through the consultations with JJN’s global research consortium highlights the role of public systems, the classification of platform workers, the challenges of collective bargaining and the implications for women in platform work. It outlines that path for further research and policy intervention to support worker well-being and sustainable platform models.
Rajasthan Drafts Bill For Gig Workers: Will It Hold Aggregators Accountable?
On 10 February, the Rajasthan government announced that it would introduce the Rajasthan Platform-based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Bill, 2023. The draft bill, accessed by The Quint, envisages a social security and welfare board for platform-based workers.
How India’s population exploded to overtake China’s and what’s next
So how did India’s population get so big, and how long will it last? Can India's population be a tremendous productive force for the economy?